Is Canola Oil a Friend or Foe to Our Environment?

Canola oil, derived from genetically modified rapeseed plants, has become a staple in kitchens worldwide due to its versatility and health benefits.

However, the cultivation and production processes pose significant challenges to soil health, water resources, and biodiversity, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This is especially true for the refining process, which requires large quantities of water, contributing to water scarcity in some regions. Additionally, using chemical solvents like hexane in oil extraction poses risks to water quality, leading to potential environmental hazards. 

This article delves into the heart of the matter, exploring the environmental implications of canola oil production. From the vast tracts of land dedicated to canola cultivation to the intensive processing methods employed to extract the oil, we uncover the hidden costs to our planet. 

Canola oil, a product of meticulous genetic modification and refining, originates from rapeseed plants engineered to contain significantly less erucic acid, a substance deemed harmful if consumed in large quantities. 

This transformation makes the oil safe for consumption and enhances its utility across various industries. 

From its cultivation to processing, canola oil's journey to our kitchens involves several steps that raise questions about sustainability and ecological footprint.

While efficient regarding water use and yield, the production faces environmental challenges, including significant land use, pesticide usage affecting wild bee populations, and large amounts of fertilisers and other chemicals. Most commercial canola oil extraction uses hexane, a solvent linked to toxicity and air pollution.

Yet, compared to other oil crops, it has the lowest GHG emissions per kilogram of refined oil (2.49 kg CO2 equivalent), making it an environmentally preferable choice. This can be seen against the backdrop of palm oil, notorious for its role in deforestation and biodiversity loss. In addition, conservation tillage practices in canola cultivation save 125 to 194 million litres of diesel fuel annually, further reducing the carbon footprint associated with its production.  

Remarkably, canola contributes to reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Canadian farmers sequester 11 million tonnes of GHGs annually, 70% of which are attributable to canola. This achievement is a testament to the crop's role in combating climate change. It has the lowest emissions among popular cooking oils. 

Apart from their land use, canola plants are water-intensive crops. The irrigation required for cultivation can lead to water scarcity in vulnerable areas, affecting local communities and ecosystems. This is in addition to the reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides in farming, which release nitrous oxide, a GHG that is about 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide over the years. 

To understand the environmental impact of canola oil, it's essential to consider its effects from various angles. Here's a breakdown:

Globally, canola oil production occupies millions of hectares of land, consumes vast amounts of water, and uses significant chemical inputs. This large-scale operation contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and pollution, exacerbating climate change and environmental degradation.

The industry continues to exert pressure on natural resources daily. Thousands of water are used daily, and hectares of land are treated with chemicals to maintain crops, highlighting the industry's ongoing environmental toll.

When used, it indirectly supports an industry with a considerable environmental footprint. From the energy consumed during processing to the transportation of the final product, canola oil's environmental impact extends beyond its cultivation.

Canola cultivation has been credited with preserving topsoil, reducing diesel use through conservation tillage, and contributing to carbon sequestration. 

When comparing canola oil to other vegetable oils, it's crucial to evaluate their environmental impact across several dimensions: land use, water consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the potential for sustainable production. 

Here's a concise breakdown of these oils' environmental footprints.

This comparison underscores the importance of considering multiple factors when assessing the environmental impact of vegetable oils. Innovations like Zero Acre Oil offer promising paths towards more sustainable cooking oil options, demonstrating that the choice of oil can significantly influence our environmental footprint.

A few key players dominate the global market. The European Union, Canada, and China are the largest producers of canola seeds, with Canada leading the world in exports. The United States, while a significant producer, still imports a substantial amount of its canola oil for domestic consumption. 

In 2022, Canada produced around 15.5 million metric tons of canola, while China produced 14.7 million metric tons. Currently, the world dedicates 20-30% of all agricultural land, between 300-425 million hectares, to vegetable oil crops - an area similar to India.

Canada is the world's leading canola exporter, with around 90% of its canola consumed in export markets. The primary destinations include the United States, Japan, and Mexico. This is seen as the steady increase in domestic canola oil consumption in the US over the past two decades. From consuming approximately 1 million metric tons in 2000, the figure more than tripled to about 2.9 million metric tons by 2022.

The global market was valued at approximately £19.8 billion in 2019, with projections indicating a slight decrease to around £18.8 billion by the end of 2026. As of 2022, the market was valued at £29.24 million and is projected to reach £50.16 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%. Despite this, the market is expected to grow consistently until 2030, at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2023 to 2030.

However, the price of canola oil has fluctuated, with the market influenced by weather conditions, export volumes, and global demand. As of March 2024, it had decreased by 2.50% since the beginning of the year.

The industry supports 207,000 jobs across Canada, emphasising its significance to the national economy. It also injects a staggering £22.4 billion annually into the Canadian economy due to its 8.0 million metric tons export. 

However, this rapid expansion of canola farming poses significant environmental concerns. Canola has a large land footprint, and its production contributes to deforestation, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and high greenhouse gas emissions. 

A recent study found that greenhouse gas emissions from production can be as much as 2.49 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of refined oil. 

Most canola oil undergoes chemical extraction using hexane, which can compromise the oil's molecular stability, lead to rancidity, destroy beneficial omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and potentially create trans fats. Furthermore, the deodorisation stage of refining is known to produce trans-fatty acids. These aspects raise concerns about the oil's safety and health implications.

Additionally, heating canola oil negatively impacts ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and other polyunsaturated fats essential for health. Some studies suggest that these factors may contribute to potential health risks, underscoring the importance of understanding canola oil's effects on health. 

While cold-pressed canola oil, which avoids these chemical processes, does exist, it is very expensive and difficult to find. This raises questions about the accessibility of healthier options for the general public.

Another point of contention is the use of genetic modification in canola crops. However, while it's true that a significant portion of canola crops are genetically modified, regulatory bodies have deemed GMO foods safe for consumption, and there is no direct evidence linking GMO canola oil to adverse health effects. 

Yes, canola oil is biodegradable. Studies have consistently shown that vegetable oils, including canola oil, undergo significant biodegradation, often reaching 70-100% within 28 days under optimal conditions. 

The biodegradability is due to the action of microorganisms that can break down the oil into less harmful substances.

Exploring the biodegradability reveals its eco-friendly potential, particularly when considering the disposal and environmental impact of cooking oils. A study by the Water Environment Federation focused on the aerobic biodegradability of canola oil's triglyceride components, offering insights into how canola oil breaks down in the environment and the potential toxicity of its byproducts. 

Lastly, Renewable Lubricants, Inc. conducted a biodegradability test comparing RLI Bio-Hydraulic Formulations with Chevron Phillips Chemical PAO, using high oleic canola oil as a reference. This test revealed that all formulations, except PAO4, exceeded the 60% biodegradation requirement by day 28, demonstrating canola oil-based products' superior biodegradability. 

Canola oil can be recycled, which is crucial in environmental conservation. Recycling used canola prevents it from ending up in landfills or, worse, being poured down drains where it can cause significant damage to water treatment facilities and the environment.

Instead, recycled canola oil finds new life in various beneficial applications, notably in producing biodiesel, a cleaner-burning fuel alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Recycling involves collecting the used oil, filtering it to remove impurities, and processing it into biodiesel or other products. This process not only diverts waste from landfills but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel production.

The sustainability of canola oil hinges on innovative agricultural practices and the industry's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The canola industry plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gases. Agriculture sequesters 11 million tonnes of GHGs annually, 70% of which is attributed to canola cultivation. 

For instance, early-planted, full-season canola yields more and removes more CO2 from the atmosphere. Extended crop rotations contributing to net carbon sequestration enhance this, highlighting canola's role in mitigating climate change.

The canola industry has set ambitious targets to improve environmental sustainability. Goals include decreasing the land needed to produce one tonne of canola by 40%, sequestering an additional five million tonnes of GHGs annually, and following 4R nutrient stewardship practices on 90% of canola acres. 

These practices ensure the canola industry's sustainability and economic viability, offering a model for agricultural production that balances productivity with environmental care.

To understand the environmental impact of canola oil compared to everyday things, it's crucial to look at the broader picture of vegetable oil crops and their footprint. Vegetable oil crops, including canola, soybean, and palm oil, take up more land than all fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, roots, and tubers and use large land areas. 

These crops are among the top five most inefficient, requiring 3-50 times more land per kilogram than most other crops. Specifically, land used for one kilogram of vegetable oil could produce 30-50 kilograms of actual vegetables instead. Despite occupying up to 30% of global croplands, vegetable oils provide less than 0.01% of the world's important nutrients, offering the least nutrition per kilogram, comparable only to sugar. 

However, compared to other everyday items, its carbon footprint may not be as significant as one might think. We need to look at the data to understand how canola oil compares to other common items in terms of CO2 emissions.

Let’s delve into the essential canola oil statistics, including its environmental impact, consumption rates, production volumes, etc., sourced from various environmental impact studies and reports. 

For those seeking alternatives to canola oil due to health concerns or environmental considerations, several options stand out for their minimal impact and health benefits.

Canola oil is not necessarily better than its alternatives. While it is low in saturated fat and has a high smoke point, making it a versatile cooking oil, concerns have been raised about its production process and environmental impact. Canola oil is often genetically modified and requires chemical processing.

In contrast, alternatives like olive oil and avocado oil offer similar, if not superior, health benefits without the environmental downsides. Additionally, these alternatives can provide unique flavours and nutritional profiles that canola oil lacks.

Considering the environmental impact, rapeseed (canola) oil production emits the least greenhouse gases compared to other vegetable oils, but this is only part of the sustainability equation. 

Issues such as land use, water consumption, and using pesticides and fertilisers also significantly determine an oil's overall environmental footprint. For instance, while palm oil has a low land footprint due to its high yield, its production is associated with deforestation and loss of biodiversity.